The taxi cab driver who was killed in a fatal crash Monday on the Zakim Bridge had pulled over because of a flat tire, The Boston Globe reports.

Debra Sarno, 54, had stopped her 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, which she drove for Malden Taxi, into the far right lane on the northbound side of the bridge about 5:30 a.m. when the truck crashed into her, according to David Procopio, a State Police spokesman.

Sarno had a flat tire, said Ed Barry of Malden Taxi. She had pulled over and put the flashers in her 2006 Ford Crown Victoria on and called her dispatcher, Barry said.

There is no breakdown lane on the bridge, state officials said.

The crash occurred just after 5:30 a.m. on Monday and sent smoke and flames into the sky, forcing crews to close all northbound lanes. According to the Associated Press, the driver of the tractor-trailer, Joseph Maldonado, 47, of Manchester, Conn., suffered minor injuries.